I get it. Your team is in a serious funk and reporters are asking you why you’re not all upset about it. You want to make an over-the-top joke that demonstrates how you’re not overreacting, so you go with the sarcastic overreaction thing.

But really, Brad Ausmus, some thing you just don’t joke about:

Ausmus was asked how he deals with the losing when he goes home: “I beat my wife.” Obviously was joking and he later apologized.

Oh, no, no, no. First of all — no, very bad not funny joke. Why don’t you ask Miggy how that goes over? Second, no, no BS non-apology “if you were offended” crap. Not beautiful, Brad. Beautiful is as beautiful does. This is ugly. And crappy. And sexist. Boooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Should have just said, “I sit here and answer the same boring questions from you guys everyday. The patience required to listen to you guys ask dumb questions every single day year after year is much greater than that required to deal with losing a few baseball games.”

I love apologies where they say that, “I’m sorry if you were offended” because that makes it sound as though they aren’t sorry they said it, just that you were offended. That is why I try to say, “No offense” before stating anything.

I’m upset that Ausmus recycled a Bobby Cox quote. Bobby’s was a little more detailed. After losing back to back extra inning games, a reporter asked Cox how he deals with tough losses like that. He replied, “I go home and beat my wife and kids.”

It is an old joke. It is not terribly funny, but this is basically a matter of ‘things we say in private’ vs. ‘things we say in public.’ In a private situation, I am sure everyone would know that he was being sarcastic and intending to convey that he carries his frustration home. Saying it in public will probably require him to scrub the toilets at Bryn Mawr College as penance.

Athletes and celebrities shouldn’t joke about anything ever because people will always get offended no matter what the joke is. The celebs should – for their own good – be automated robots delivering answers pre-wrote for them by the PR team.

There is a world of difference between talking about abusing your wife — which is appalling and NOT funny — and just saying dumb crap. I hope every woman you know gives you an earful — but you’d probably blow it off anyway. FYI, it isn’t good leadership to pile this on a struggling team. There is nothing to be proud of here.

If you make that joke and immediately realize it was stupid and offer that apology because you aren’t sure how it’ll be received, I think it’s ok. It’s better than just saying nothing and hoping no one picks up on it. You’re at least acknowledging on your own that it probably could across as offensive which wasn’t your intent.

If you apologize after people start voicing their offense, then yeah, you’re not taking responsibility for your action you’re apologizing for people’s reaction.